She finished the 1650 free with an elite time of 16:19.26 in front of thousands of fans at the IU Natatorium in the IUPUI Sports Complex on Saturday evening. The time placed her in unchartered waters for the Mean Green swimming and diving program as her 26th-place finish stationed her among the nation's elite.

The finish was also the second highest among the mid-major performers in the event as only Towson University's Kaitlin Burke (16:09.01) was faster.

Phillips previously qualified for the 500 yard freestyle preliminary, which took place on day one of the competition. She swam a time of 4:48.61 in that event, another stepping stone for the program.

"This is the third-most exclusive swim meet in the world behind the olympics and the world championships," head coach Joe Dykstra said. "Only 281 swimmers are invited to swim their individual races, it's incredibly exclusive and there are swimmers at this meet from all over the world, the best in the world."

Overall, Phillips was the first swimmer from North Texas to qualify for the NCAA Championships in the program's 15-year history, and her success throughout her sophomore year can only help build the program's rising status.

"It's an incredible honor for Kimmy, (assistant head coach) Michele Lowry and myself and a great step forward for our program," coach Dykstra said.